Championship Section:

4BR Editor's round up and prediction

Don't think there is much doubt about the destination of the Welsh Regional title and the 2019 European invitation here in Swansea. Cory was a margin ahead of the field with a performance of such imposing authority.

Tredegar wasn't quite on their A game — but showed more than enough quality to claim a clear and comfortable runner-up spot, whilst third may well go to Northop Silver who were so full of energy and brio under John Doyle.

Llwydcoed may get the nod for the second qualification place for London just ahead of Tongwynlais.

We are sure a certain Ian Williams would have been very proud of his old band today.

4BR prediction

Championship Section:

8. Tongwynlais Temperance (Andreas Kratz)

Well that was as full bore as they come: heaven above it was. Why, is diffuclt to say — as the band was right on its dynamic and tempi limit too often in an opening section that was splintered with unforced error shrapnel.

The middle section was a bit of a revelation though — led by beautiful solo cornet and sonorous euph. Just the tiniest of blemishes — but it was lovely, tender playing.

The close went all new age again — but this time with much more control and focus to bring detail and texture to the fore. An ample reserve of power drew things to a fine close. A performance of three very distinct parts and quality that.

Wales

Sunday 18, 14:43:42

Championship Section:

7. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)

A wonderfully projected interpretation, but one that was marred by minor blemishes in the opening that just took the gloss off the richly textured picture.

Such drive and purpose and a huge amount of forensic detail on show followed from all sections, that your spine shook.

A passionate central section ached with lyricism, but just that tiny moment caught the ear. The close sent a shiver down the spine.

The turbos were opened in the finale — with playing of such tremendous power and detail that built in intensity and drive to a climax that could have been heard in Timbuktu let alone Tredegar.

To come

8. Tongwynlais Temperance

Wales

Sunday 18, 14:23:02

Championship Section:

6. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Garry Cutt)

A full blooded, passionate account — a little too raw and visceral places it may be argued, as it got harsh and frenetic at pace and lacked detailed focus.

There were some lovely moments in the central section though — the cornet leading a typically Garry Cutt interpretation; subtly shaped lyricism that ebbed and flowed with tenderness. Fine playing there.

The final ride for home though got a little raucous and lost its precision as it tripped over its Irish legs. It perhaps reached its climax a bit too soon, but it had great energy and purpose to the very last note.

To come

7. Tredegar

Wales

Sunday 18, 14:04:25

Championship Section:

4. Cory (Philip Harper)

A performance set out with such intent and purpose that it thumped you back in your seat. Huge sounds and detail, drive and pulse — but also subtle changes in tempo and dynamic in an opening section that was ferociously imposing.

The central section was led with such tenderness by a sublime solo cornet and rich euph. The musical line meandered in flow so tastefully to an elongated close.

The finale was Cory overdrive stuff — building in intensity and passionate focus to a close that almost blew the bloody doors off heaven's gate. Outstanding that.

To come

6. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)

Wales

Sunday 18, 13:44:53

Championship Section:

4. Northop Silver (John Doyle)

If ever a performance or an interpretation mirrored the musical characteristics of an MD this was it. Full of energy, fizz and pulse, occasionally over eager but splendidly entertaining.

At times things lost focus and got scrappy — but the drive in the opening section had an evangelical zeal.

The beautiful sound of the solo cornet was a joy — and from such a young man.

It led a fine central section of lyrical melancholy that soon spurted back to life with a Red Bull and Guinness chaser injection of energy to 'o'irish it's way to a substantive happy clappy close. Enjoyable stuff that.

To come

5. Cory

Wales

Sunday 18, 13:21:47

Championship Section:

3. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)

A touch of the Methodist hard working ethic throughout this one from the MD and his band. A step up in quality from what had been heard so far, with drive and purpose in the opening section despite the obvious little niggles and unevenness in some lines of execution.

A sonorous solo cornet and Caruso-like euph led the central section with bold artistry, with the MD shaping things with tenderness.

It led into a bravura close — higgledy-piggledying its way with brio and drive all the way to the close that opened its funnels for that moment of triumphalism.

To come

4. Northop Silver

Wales

Sunday 18, 13:08:22

Championship Section:

2. Parc & Dare (Leftfield Environmental Ltd)

Good to see the return of one of the most famous names in Welsh banding making an overdue reappearance at the top level — and they have plenty of experience in the ranks.

It's a determined effort that had its obvious fault lines and issues, but there was a free flowing musicality to the approach from the MD that was persuasive.

The error count was high though despite the intentions, although the turbo boost finale had a great deal of spirit all the way to that humdinger close.

To come

3. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)

Wales

Sunday 18, 12:45:48

Championship Section:

1. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)

An energetic account to set the marker from the west Walians — but one that was rather uncharacteristic in its occasional scruffiness and odd moments of unease.

There was a splendid sense of rhythmic pulse in the quicker sections, but it was a touch wayward at times.

A languid central section was so nicely done until the very end, although the ride for home saw them up their game to their usually impressive levels and a triumphant close.

Fourth Section:

World Tour style...

Each captured the style — from the sense of anticipation and enthusiasm of the opening to the easy paced ragtime of Chicago and the languid relaxation of the Hawaiian paradise. There can't be many Aussies left in the bars of Swansea as they seemed to all be in the trombones sections here.

Gwaun had two super solo leads on cornet and euph to back their cause, whilst the fantastic young girl on percussion with Buckley played just about every instrument on her own. What an encouraging debut that was from the band.

Crosskeys rounded things off with a touch of swagger too (with super sop) and some waltzing Aussies that wouldn't have been out of place on Come Dancing.

4BR Editor's prediction:

The best came first here with a super performance from Upper Rhondda, closely followed by Cwmtawe Youth and Buckley Brass. It's been a great way to warm you up for the big battles to come today

4BR prediction:

1. Upper Rhondda
2. Cwmtawe Youth
3. Buckley Brass

Wales

Sunday 18, 10:38:54

Fourth Section:

Two to warm the cold cockles

It's Arctic Monkey weather outside, but the council have put a few pennies in the gas meter here at the Brangwyn Hall so we are nice and warm.

The opening two bands have also warmed us up splendidly too — with a real cracker of a performance from the youngsters of Upper Rhondda led by Jayne Thomas. A lovely sound as rich as a bowl of cawl and some splendidly confident soloists all added to the excellent direction by the MD.

Cwmtawe Youth followed, equally sprinkled with youngsters as keen as mustard and displaying a fearless attitude. Wayne Pedrick also directed with a great deal of grey matter and was rewarded in return with a fine show.

More of this please...even the excerpt from God Save the King sounds Celtic....

To come

3. Gwaun cae Gurwen
4. Buckley Brass

Wales

Sunday 18, 10:14:14

Fourth Section:

Snow business like brass band contest business...

Welcome back to Swansea — although the picture above is of the 4BR Editor's car in Blaenavon this morning. The roads in the valleys are treacherous at the moment after a heavy fall of up to 8 inches in places.

Unfortunately it has meant that Oakdale Band has had to withdraw as they have been stranded in the snow in the Sirhowy Valley.

The contest is taking place on time here (Swansea has had a icing sugar dusting of snow and the main roads to the city are all clear), but they are being very considerate to all the bands needs today — so there may be some breaks.

It took the Editor one and half hours to get to Swansea so others may be facing the same trek. Good luck and keep the huskies mushing...

First Section:

4BR Editor's round up and prediction

As with every other First Section year, this has been a curious mix of the good (invariably the interpretations), the bad (the amount of annoying basic errors) and the occasional ugly (tuning that was lemon sharp)

When things did gell, a tricky score didn't sound that troubling at all — and whilst none of the bands toto ally masters it here, the likes of Burry Port and Ebbw Valley could be neck and neck for the title and qualification, followed by the slightly more inconsistent but enjoyable takes from Deiniolen and Markham.

4BR prediction:

1. Burry Port
2. Ebbw Valley
3. Deiniolen
4. Markham & District

Wales

Saturday 17, 18:57:28

First Section:

A double dose of red Welsh passion to close

Two 'heart on sleeve' accounts to close today — both just a little bit too ripe in terms of passion and dynamic to keep a cool head and not fall foul of the unforced errors.

They were a brace of engaging interpretations from the MDs with BTM and Ynyshir — both seeking the flow of the music with a touch of true Welsh hywl in the mix. Some super moments with both — just a pity it was also tarnished by eagerness and edgy overblowing.

Two talented MDs in Jeff Hutcherson and Gary Davies showing they still have a bit of lead in their pencils when it comes to the passion stakes.

Wales

Saturday 17, 18:28:34

First Section:

Go compare...

They say it's not all over until the fat lady sings — or in this part of Wales, until the podgy bloke from the Go Compare ads has a last warble — so something for the judges to think about.

Mid Rhondda struggled somewhat, so they may have to try and fit it in around the bottom quarter of the results table, whilst Markham & District will have given food for thought towards the top three or four.

Just some nasty moments of intonation and a little fragility may cost a fine reading from the MD and a super euph.

There are still a couple of chords left in Fatty Caruso before we find out whose won though....

To come

9. BTM
10. Tylorstown

Wales

Saturday 17, 17:46:02

First Section:

Curnow reality check

James Curnow's test piece has blown a chill wind, every bit as cold as that coming off Swansea Bay through the contesting veins of some of the competing bands here.

These have been brave attempts to master a tricky but not overtly difficult score — and the MDs have done their bit to help with well chosen tempi and dynamics, but the amount of fairly basic errors in the majority here speaks of bands in need of staying at this level for few more years yet rather than being promoted out of their comfort zones.

Abergavenny gave it brave go, but found it tough going, although Burry Port certainly caught the score by the scruff of the neck. There were some lovely moments, both ensemble and solo, and a coherent sense of musicality from the MD to put it in the mix with Ebbw Valley and Deiniolen.

To come

7. Thomas Coaches MId Rhondda
8. Markham & District

Wales

Saturday 17, 17:06:57

First Section:

Curnow testing the bands here

No band has yet come close to comprehensively mastering James Curnow's troubling work.

Ebbw Valley came close, based on a fine reading from the MD Gareth Ritter that brought rich colour and balanced textures out from the score.

However, they also had their moments when not all was at ease — but these were the little corners and edges rather something more structurally significant.

Llanrug also benefitted from an intelligent musical approach from Gavin Saynor in the middle — especially interns of tempi. The fragility in some solo lines was evident, but as a musical appreciation of the score there was a great deal to engage with here.

To come

5. Abergavenny Borough
6. Burry Town Band

Wales

Saturday 17, 16:31:05

First Secton:

Two different approaches

We have heard two very different approaches to James Curnow's work — one that has troubled so many bands around the country this year.

It may well be the same here; with Deiniolen producing a strong, confident account under Lois Eifion that was vibrantly coloured and textured but painted with broad strokes. More detail could have come out, but it retained a cohesive structure.

A more lyrical approach from Lewis Merthyr and Craig Roberts — again with the broad brush stroke appeal, but it was fragile in places and lost its focus. A pity that.

Second Section:

4BR Editor's opinion and prediction...

All nine bands bright something a little different to their take on Jonathan Bates' engaging work — even if some scruffiness and poor intonation may have undermined some chances.

Two bands stand out at the top for us — Pontardulais with their all round solidity and Newport Borough with their considered approach. They may just get the mod through to Cheltenham.

Behind them it's Royal Buckley hard on their heels, with Ammanford and Abertillery as potential dark horses.

4BR prediction:

1. Pontardulais
2. Newport Borough
3. Royal Buckley

Dark Horses: Ammanford and Abertillery

Wales

Saturday 17, 15:20:20

Second Section:

Different strokes...

The contest is rounded off with a trio of engaging, but contrasting accounts.

Newport Borough was all about compact control and cohesion from the MD — both with dynamics and tempo. Some lovely little moments in each movement — led by a splendid solo cornet player with a touch of artistic class.

Penclawdd was a little more visceral, but the MD used all his experience to draw out elements we certainly haven't heard from other bands today. An interesting, if occasionally uneven one.

The contest's last performance came with Blaenavon's lyrical approach — broad brush strokes and flowing lines. Poor intonation robbed the musical picture, but it was engaging.

Three performances inspired by very different conducting strokes.

Wales

Saturday 17, 14:27:32

Second Section

What the Romans did for us...

The Romans certainly left their mark in Wales — although they didn't really want to get to grips with the rowdy lot in the north. They did put the tribes in the south in some sort of order though — as a trip to Caerleon (Isca) not far from Swansea will show.

The latest trio certainly enjoyed their bit of musical Latin, with a robust account by Abertillery full of valley's passion and drive, even if was occasionally scruffy around the outer edges.

Royal Buckley kept things under a tighter leash — with the opening delivered with such a warm ensemble sound and the middle section having a lovely melancholic feel. They just went a bit tribal with the percussion war paint to close, but it was a good one.

The last of the three was Ifton Colliery — on their debuts from over the border. Theirs improved after a slightly hesitant start to close with building energy and drive — and a jazz cornet who swung like a gibbon on a trapeze — brill.

To come

7. Newport Borough
8. Penclawdd
9. Blaenavon Town

Wales

Saturday 17, 13:44:26

Second Section:

Light and shade

The first three bands have performed in the Second Section and have all made a good, solid fist of tackling Jonathan Bates' engaging set work. The first and third movements are handled with aplomb by Crwbin and a touch of elgance with the drive by MD Craig Roberts to give the contest marker.

The bar is raised by Pontardulais to follow — with a richly courted and textured account under Paul Jenkins. A super soprano player was such a tasteful focal point, whilst the drummer went all heavy metal in the finale to bring things to a rousing close.

The trio was rounded off by a spirited account from Ammanford — well styled by the MD. Full marks to the excellent solo cornet player — a young lady with the confidence to stand on her feet to deliver the jazz feature.

Third Section:

4BR Editor's round up and opinion

What an enjoyable start to the weekend here in Swansea — with a host of bands inspired by Philip Harper's colourful score. Everyone emerged with a great deal of credit here.

Taff Vale Brass were powerful and persuasive and could well pick up the title on their debut, whilst Usk for us may join them. Newtown may be close on their heels with Briton Ferry as a potential dark horse for a trip to Cheltenham.

4BR Prediction:

1. Taff Vale Brass
2. Usk
3. Newtown

Dark Horse: Briton Ferry

Wales

Saturday 17, 12:15:15

Third Section

Plenty of spirit and verve to close

Two performances full of vibrancy and endeavour to close things here.

Ynyshir may not feature in the prizes today, but they will in the future if they carry on building under Gary Davies' encouragement. Lots of talented young players in the ranks — led by two tyros on cornet and sop. Brio and confident — and a band to watch out for in the coming years.

RAF St Athan rounded things off with an equally bold approach — that had its moments of colour and excitment to get the Gallic blood bubbling. Just got a bit messy to close, but another enjoyable take on the score.

Wales

Saturday 17, 11:47:03

Third Section:

More encouraging signs of Frenchness

Two contrasting performances from Ogmore Valley Silver and Newtown Silver to follow here at the Brangwyn Hall.

Lots to enjoy with Alice Jones once more showing that she is developing a very solid band with Ogmore, full of spirit and endeavour and no little amount of style.

Much more purposeful from Newtown — bold and confident, if occasionally a little scrappy. Steve Edwards used his conducting experience to effect in a spirited performance with a great last movement.

To come

7. Ynyshir
8. RAF St Athan

Wales

Saturday 17, 11:07:45

Third Section:

Hope the French aren't as inspired as this in Cardiff

Four bands gone and four very good performances it must be said. The latest came from a very neat and well directed Briton Ferry under Jeff Pearce, followed by a little fizzer from Usk led James Jones.

The Perc playing has been great so far, with some top notch tuned playing on show from Briton Ferry and colourful filler from Usk. The former 4th Section National Champion played with a brio and panache that had us all yearning for a breakfast baguette of Brie cheese.

To come

5. Ogmore Valley
6. Newtown Silver

Wales

Saturday 17, 10:41:28

Third Section:

Napoleon on the march in Swansea

Well we have got off to a cracking start at the Brangwyn Hall — with real Gallic verve and flair with the opening brace of performances from Severn Tunnel and Taff Vale Brass.

Lots to enjoy from Daniel Hall's approach with Severn Tunnel — all neat touches and sympathetic handling of the ensemble, whilst Gareth Ritter and Taff Vale attacked it like a rampaging French pack at the Millennium Stadium later today.

Super confident, bold and full of energy, aided by top notch solo cornet and great youthful Perc team. Like Mathieu Bastareaud in midfield for 'Les Blues' today — that will take a bit of shifting.

To come

3. Briton Ferry
4. Usk

Wales

Saturday 17, 09:50:24

Good morning from Swansea

It's a bitter cold morning down here in Swansea — but lovely and warm in the hall itself, where at the moment there are just 5 people plus the judges waiting for the start of the contest (and that's including the press).

Hopefully it will soon be a little more numerous with bums on seats — otherwise we will be asked to clap very loud!

December 18 • We have a vacancy for a Soprano and BBb Bass to complete the line up for the areas. Nice Schilke Sop sat waiting for the right person! The band currently competes in the 2nd Section and has a full program of concerts and contests.